Bungie All Stars - Week 9

It's a bird, it's a plane...

I'm still reeling from last week's submissions, so I'm going to make sure you don't have the option to make me nauseous this time around. We're going back to in game screenshots. But we're not leaving the field of aviation behind.

Take an epic screenshot of the UNSC Falcon doing what it does best.

You have from this very second until Thursday, March 10th at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to contest@bungie.com.

Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 9” without the quotation marks.

The size limit for preview images, which you should include, is 10MB. Make sure you also link to the original in your File Share.

One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Greenskull's Forgefest 2

Greenskull is back with another Forgefest. In Forgefest, a bunch of fun gamers get together to try out all the most entertaining and creative maps created in Halo: Reach's powerful Forge editor. In this episode, the group tries "NASCAR" on "Speed" and "Run Jones Run" on "Indiana Jones." And as you can guess, the games are insanely fun!

Top 10 Amazing Kills: Episode 16

Hey everyone it's Anoj and this week is another collection of the amazing feats performed by the members of the Halo Community with Episode 16: Top 10 Amazing Kills. Sit back and enjoy all the amazingness you can handle!

Fire Team Zulu: Seasons of Change

This week brings change to a Spartan's most common killing style in "Seasons of Change" on legendary. Restrictions are quite minimal on this challenge and we've introduced a two hour time limit so that everyone has a legitimate shot at completion. All you have to do is overcome one tiny weapon lock and your entry is sealed in a draw for 3 months of Xbox Live Gold (all players) OR 1600 Microsoft marketplace points (North America only). Be sure to enter by 11:00pm PST on March 13th, 2011 for your submission to be eligible for the draw. Good luck!

ACLPro's Halo: Reach Community Montage

It's Monday morning. I'm eating a muffin and watching a montage. Life is good.

"This is a Halo: Reach montage from the ACL (Australian Cyber League), edited by ASiKK Entertainment. The gameplay is really good, featuring a lot of nice sniper overkills and ridiculous 2 for 1's, and the editing sports a nice intro and some well done syncing. Enjoy!"

Precious Times - A Halo: Reach Montage

This is a laid back Halo: Reach montage from Just Mad, put together by himself, entitled, "Precious Times". The song is relaxed, and the editing flows with it all, using an effective combination slow-mo, fast forward, and simple theater work. The gameplay features lots of huge sniper multikills, and I like how clean most of the kills were and how Just Mad calmly took his time with some of the shots. Enjoy!

GrifballHub's PAX Guide

GrifballHub has put together a quick guide for fans heading to PAX East. Get the most out of your time in Boston by planning ahead, knowing where you're going and what you want to see. And if you can't make it to the convention, the GrifballHub team will be on-site to keep you informed.

And, of course, be sure to check out the Grifball Evolved panel at PAX East on Friday, March 11 at 10:30AM at the Naga Theater, featuring Burnie Burns of Rooster Teeth, Jessica Shea of 343 Industries, and Grifball pros from Grifball.com and GrifballHub.com.

Tyrant's Mythic Difficulty Guide - Lone Wolf

You might have thought Tyrant's guide for beating Halo: Reach on Legendary difficulty, with all skulls on, was complete last week, with the release of his Pillar of Autumn guide... but he's got one more treat for you. Check out Lone Wolf - the video included here is a bit of a departure from his usual offering. It's a fitting tribute to the guide's intent, and to the full Mythic ride, which started all the way back in Halo 3. Go see!

Games for Flames

Over at Halotracker, Ativan has set up a Halo: Reach FFA tourney for chance to win a flaming helmet code. The tournament is going down on March 12th, all you have to do is leave your gamertag and your signed up! For some more information, visit the Halotracker thread.

Build Your Own Green’s Machine in Halo: Reach

If you've been around the Bungie community for a while you've probably heard of Greenskull and his website ReadyUpLive.com. Recently he's put together a few Halo: Reach machinima videos that have been featured on Halo Waypoint.

His most popular videos have been of Rube Goldberg Machines that take hours to build and perfect. He's had a lot of requests for tips from people looking to make their own versions, and he's decided to share his secrets in a tell-all guide for Xbox.ca.

Hit the jump below to check it out and learn how to build your own Green's Machine!

Chao's 1st Halo: Reach Montage

"This is Chao's 1st Halo: Reach montage, edited by Bluex. The gameplay is mainly social, but there's a little bit of MLG in it. There's a lot of huge, clean sniper multikills, and the montage wraps it all up with a nice killionaire. The soundtrack is laid back, and so is the editing. Enjoy!"

Man on the Moon - A Halo: Reach Montage

"This is a Halo: Reach montage from Lunar, edited by Radic, entitled, 'Man on the Moon,' featuring some of Lunar's leftover clips. The gameplay's pretty sweet for leftovers, featuring lots of nice no scopes and clean sniper multikills. I also really liked the song, and the simple, clean editing goes along very well with it. Enjoy!"

Map Spotlight Week 14 - Hydra XXIII

It has been awhile, but I, or we rather, are back and ready for action! This week we will be featuring Hydra XXIII-a remake of Halo: CE's Damnation-by superduper66 (I Frightmare I). Enjoy!

Q. Who are you and why do you Forge?

A. On Bugie.net, I'm superduper66. On Xbox LIVE I'm known as I Frightmare I. In the real world, I'm known as Jon. Forging for me is a passion. Ever since Halo 3 introduced Foundry, I've had ideas run through mah noggin' for map ideas. Forging maps is my favorite thing to do. The awesome feeling of being the creator of a map you put a lot of work into and having it recognized by people is amazing. I may not be able to snipe, but I'd be a 50 in Forging.

Q. What was your inspiration for Hydra XXII?

A. Well considering Hydra XXIII is a remake, Bungie's Damnation. To me, it was the pinnacle of Halo maps, and still is.

I'd also like to note that a certain rumored "Classic Playlist" inspired me ;)

Q. Where is Hydra XXIII located and why did you choose that location?

A. I built Hydra XXIII starting on the Quarry of Forge World with the Pipe Room. The Pipe room was my foundation for the map. I wanted to make the map feel like it was a natural structure, as opposed to "just a remake". Starting with the Quarry was step one in achieving that goal. It also gives some sense of Orientation. One side of the map is embedded into a cliff, the other isn't, so players will be able to easily determine which side of the map they are on.

Q. Did you employ any unusual forge techniques in making Hydra XXIII?

A. I did make use of shield doors for more than just blocking sight lines. I used one-way shield doors to recreate the ladders that were in the original Damnation. I also used the Flag stands as Weapon Holders to hold the Sniper and Shotgun. They're free!

Q. What separates your map from other maps?

A. Almost every aspect of the original map from CE is there, including scale. I also chose a different location to Forge in. Most people chose to remake it near the waterfall, but I thought that area was over-forged, and I wanted to take the map and create a whole new location for it. Kind of like how Blackout is to Lockout. Same layout, just different Aesthetics.

I also tried very hard to reduce the lag to as little as possible. single-player lag is almost non-existent, and split-screen lag is very minimal, something most other remakes fail to achieve together with accuracy.

Q. Anything else people should know before they download?

A. I'd like to thank Xx Overkill VR, JDHarbs19, Godly_Perfection, TOM T 117, and those from both Fonzes Thread Testers and Halo Reach Classic who helped with improving this map to what it is today.

-Thank you so much for your time superduper! We really appreciate you for answering our questions!

For all of you Halo enthusiasts out there, don't forget to download Hydra XXIII, as well leaving any feedback, or constructive criticism that you deem necessary!

With that said, be sure to join The T00L B0X!, the official sponsor of the Map Spotlight! ;-)

Reclaimer: Rationalization

Bungie All Stars Week Ate

Learning to fly.

Something tells me I shouldn't do this, but here goes. Here's your mission for this week, should you choose to accept it:

Using any medium you can digitize and send via email, whip up some fan art of what you think the Chickenpede looks like. If you don't have art skills, send a Halo: Reach screenshot featuring the Jet Pack instead.

You have from this very second until Thursday, March 3rd at 11:59pm PT to submit your entry for consideration to contest@bungie.com.

Use the subject line “Bungie All Star Week 8” without the quotation marks.

The size limit is 10MB and you should use your best judgment and discretion in terms of the nature of the content submit. Make sure to include a preview image, and a link the original screenshot in your file Share (if applicable).

One submission per person. Please include your Bungie.net profile and gamertag in your email.

Good luck in whichever route you choose. And may God have mercy on your souls.

Tempus Maximus: Reach Machinima

"Three units are sent to replace a missing crew at site Tempus Maximus on one of the outer Halo installations. The reason for their replacement remains unknown, yet they must follow the commands of the officer Clay to remain alive on this dangerous land. The crew must monitor the crashed remains of a Forerunner ship, housing what is believed to be a portal. However they are not alone on this world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQs4nPwBY0w

YouTube - Tempus Maximus Part 1 of 4

The other three parts can be accessed via the directors channel or through Related Videos."

Forever Forgers Winter 2011 Favorites

Forever Forgers wants to warm up your winter season with a bundle of joyful Forge creations. Check 'em out.

"JPeloquin218 here presenting to you, the Community, Forever Forger's Top Content of the Season. Aka, the Forever Forgers Favorites. All the Content shown here is from all of the great members of the Forever Forgers Community! These pieces of content were voted upon by the Group to choose what would represent them for the Winter Season of Content Creation!

Catalyst is a medium size Asymmetrical map built above the canyon and onto the surrounding terrain. Haddy took this map and transformed the terrain and geometry for the map by using the natural forge pieces such as the rocks to really make the map is own. Along with this is the aesthetic beauty of the map and it interesting and unique structures that give the map its name. This author really wanted to make this playing space his own so he took they extra step into making a perfect map, by making it a completely original space in which he could use to built this great map.

Sanctorium is a small Asymmetrical map built right next to the waterfall and on the water. The map design is based of of two other maps, Swordbase and Reflection. Swordbase for its "room to room" combat type gameplay where you should always be checking your corners and slowly take control of an area. Then Reflection for its Aesthetic beauty with a flowing lagoon area and rock structures built as central parts to player movement along the map. Along with the great design and fantastic aesthetics, this maps offers excellent gameplay because unlike many maps out there, this one creates a lot of "flow" throughout a map which means the map allows players to have many options and way to go and travel to in the map, making the gameplay less repetitive and boring. You will notice on this map there is always more then 2 ways to get to a certain map of the maps which really adds fun on gameplay.

Sapphire is a small Symmetrical Arena-style map built in an enclosed area. It is design for very competitive gameplay and in which is definitely does! This map contains the best of both worlds for many players. It brings the sense of competitiveness along with the feel of "pushing and pulling" of taking control of the map to get and edge of the enemy players. Along with all of this, it has a number of great aesthetic pieces with give it the originality and uniqueness to people so it is remembered!